HUSTLE
Whether you were glued to every minute of the NBA Finals (Go Dubs!) or you think a triple-double is just an order off the secret In-N-Out menu, you’re in luck—Adam Sandler’s new Netflix film HUSTLE (trailer here) is a delight for basketball fans and non-fans alike. Because the film doesn’t require any prior knowledge of the sport to enjoy it, but basketball die-hards will love the wall-to-wall barrage of incredible basketball star cameos (Shaq, Dirk, Kenny “The Jet”, A.I., Luka, Trae, and Dr. J to name a few). Plus, it’s a legitimately compelling story.
The film follows Stanley Sugerman (Sandler), a long-time NBA scout for the 76ers, as he circumnavigates the globe seeking the next big NBA international star. While on a scouting trip in Spain, Sugerman discovers a raw unknown streetball phenom in Bo Cruz (Juancho Hernangomez, real-life NBA forward for the Utah Jazz), and we follow the two men as they bet on one another’s potential and risk everything in the process. The filmmakers masterfully craft a depth of character for each of Sugerman and Cruz that is rare in sports cinema, which is why labeling HUSTLE as a “sports film” mis-classifies it—it’s a beautifully-written, inspiring, feel-good dramedy with incredible performances by the entire cast (actors and NBA stars alike), including warm and heartfelt performances from Queen Latifah as Sugerman’s wife and Jordan Hull as their daughter. Watching HUSTLE, I couldn’t help but reminisce on the beauty of the original ROCKY films and the timeless trope of “lovable underdog takes on the world”. Bo Cruz versus Kermit Wilts (Anthony Edwards, real-life NBA forward for the Minnesota Timberwolves) evokes memories of epic cinematic David & Goliath clashes a la Rocky Balboa versus Apollo Creed. At just under 2 hours, HUSTLE is the perfect summer evening couch flick—check it out!
—Ben Ryzak, Director, Business & Legal Affairs
